Stick Man trail opening at Martineau Gardens

Popular character, Stick Man, based on the children’s picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, features in a new free activity trail officially launched at Martineau Gardens, Edgbaston Birminghamon Thursday 23 August 2018, which will encourage children to get outdoors and explore the natural world.

The Stick Man Trail Welcome Event will celebrate the arrival of the Stick Man Trail in Birmingham. Taking place on Thursday 23 August, between 10am and 4pm, there will be opportunity to enjoy activities such as Make Your Own Stick Man, Listen to a Reading of Stick Man and following the Stick Man Trail around the beautiful 2.5 acre community garden. Families will be also able to enjoy exploring the woodland, food growing areas, Shipwreck play area and picnics are welcomed. Hot and cold drinks will be served from the Pavilion. Entrance to Martineau Gardens and participation in the Trail is free – donations welcomed for the drop-in activities (sessions at 11am, 1pm and 2pm).

Martineau Gardens was chosen to host the trail as part of a nationwide scheme supported by Stick Man brand owner Magic Light Pictures and Social Farms & Gardens, a charity which promotes land-based activities that encourage learning and improved well-being.

The self-guided trail offers an interactive learning experience for three to seven year olds and has been designed to help children go on their own adventure with the character. Brightly coloured boards featuring Stick Man and other characters from the picture book will be used alongside an activity pack, with children able to claim a Stick Man Trail Certificate for completing the trail.

Gill Milburn, Director of Martineau Gardens said: “Learning about nature and the environment and creating community resources are very important parts of what we do here, so we’re thrilled that we can host a trail at our site. Stick Man is extremely popular with young children, so being able to have this trail is a real boost. We’re expecting lots of interest from regular visitors and hopefully some new visitors, who will be able to find out more about the work we do here.”

The trail is part of a unique national project devised by Social Farms & Gardens, which uses the Stick Man character to help thousands of parents and young children ‘twig’ just how much fun learning through nature can be. There are estimated to be more than 2,500 social farms and gardens in the UK, which do great work in helping transform people’s lives and the places where they live.

Heidi Seary from Social Farms & Gardens said: “Modern life sometimes means children don’t always have access to the countryside or regular opportunity to play and learn outdoors. We hope that the trail at Martineau Gardens will inspire young children and their families to go on their own outdoor adventure with Stick Man, where they can have fun, as well as learn more about the natural world and how things grow.”

Daryl Shute, brand director at Magic Light Pictures, said: “Encouraging exploration and learning about nature are core values for the Stick Man brand so we are really excited to bring these trails into a new setting and reach a wider audience.”